Limited availability of Apple's wireless AirPort and Time Capsule base stations suggest a hardware refresh, with new rumors indicating the company will shift its wireless base station line to use iOS.

Apple's existing AirPort and Time Capsule products have for several years used embedded ARM processors built by Marvell (the original models used AMD and later PowerPC chips), but they run a unique embedded operating system.

Shifting these products to use a custom build of Apple's iOS would make it easier for the company to port content streaming, sharing and other networking features between Mac OS X, iOS and its AirPort base stations.

For example, Apple could bring its existing firewall, file sharing, software update service, calendar and WebDAV servers, and other existing services to AirPort products with less effort and maintain such services using a common codebase shared with Mac OS X Server, desktop Macs, and mobile iOS devices.

Using a common code base and core OS could also open the potential for an AirPort App Store allowing third party developers to sell add-on functionality to AirPort products.

Such a move is also anticipated to enable Apple to incorporate local client support for its new iCloud services, some of which appear to already be represented in the company's existing MobileMe services.

Existing Mac OS X and iOS features such as iDisk cloud storage and file sync, MobileMe Sync Services, Back to My Mac VPN secure remote access, AirPlay and AirPrint already have some support in AirPort base stations, but an iOS base station could readily support enhanced and expanded support for these types of features.

Some reports have speculated that AirPort could incorporate Apple's Software Update feature of Mac OS X Server, which enables a server to download and cache available updates for local users, allowing them to obtain updates without each client needing to download its own copy of identical updates.

New features anticipated for iCloud, including remote, mobile access of streaming commercial music from Apple's servers, may also be accelerated or cached by improved new AirPort base stations built using iOS. Such devices could also accelerate the relay of user content to a cloud-based digital locker service.

New base stations could also conceptually save copies of Time Machine backups to a user's cloud storage, or sync specific types of documents to the cloud for secure, mobile remote access. Such utility is suggested in a tweet by AppleTweaks portraying what appears to be iOS 5 offering settings for Time Machine and iCloud settings (pictured below)

In the opposite direction, a cloud-savvy AirPort device could also download and cache Mac and iOS App Store updates for quick local installation, and support local or even remote syncing of media or software updates for mobile iOS devices, reducing or eliminating the need for users to sync with iTunes directly.

Additional rumors reported to AppleInsider suggest that Apple's AirPort team is working on wireless drivers for non-Intel CPUs, suggesting the possibility that iOS devices could directly be used to set up and configure new AirPort or Time Capsule devices without needing a Mac or Windows PC to run AirPort Utility.

Last year, Apple shifted its Apple TV product from an Intel x86 CPU running a scaled down version of Mac OS X to a cheaper ARM-based device running an embedded version of iOS. That update enabled the new Apple TV to support AirPlay streaming of audio and video. A similar makeover for the portable AirPort Express could incorporate an HDMI port to provide similar audio and video streaming features.

New AirPort base station devices could also incorporate support for offering guest wireless access as configured by the user, providing or segregating guest access from local file sharing, print and media streaming services.

That would be really awesome I think. It would make the router into a smart home server and a manager of your network. As the article mentioned downloading update for easy install while you are not home, or continuing to download files while you take your laptop from your house (capsule only functionality of course). I doubt it will happen in wwdc, but who knows maybe in the near future.

I push this even farther and say the new Time Capsule will be in the Mac mini-like chassis. Meaning a milled block of aluminium.

Would be cool. I'd like to see a standard dimension arise like on stereo and rack equipment.

If the next generation of routers are really groundbreakingly icloud-empowered (software updates are relatively mundane compared to what's possible) we may be looking at iOS as the operating system for the home, PERIOD. The router is the beachhead dontcha see? Think:
Media obviously
Power optimization, remote control, every lightswitch an iPod touch (sorta)
Smart grid (the home's backend power optimization)
Security
Will this be the standard for the future of VoIP? Steve=pa bell?
Imagine third party apps like networked home medical equipment, telemetry, scales.for the aging@home boomers, etc.

Currently you can often rent HD for iPad/Apple TV but only SD for Mac. This is probably because iOS is more locked down and content providers are worried that OS X users will find a way to hack the copy protection. But if the router (running iOS) downloads the Movie and only streams it to the Mac, would that keep the content providers happy?

Ability to offload background processing (I'm yet to convince myself "mainstream" users would understand this one) like app downloads and updates and uploads of large chunks of data (like long YouTube videos or photo albums)

EDIT: This would also tie in with how I think a cloud music service should work as well. iCloud could potentially be similar to what others have created... but I don't think any company has really created a nice mesh of the private/public cloud.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefly7475

Here is how I would like it to work...

iDevices are sync'd over-the-air

Songs purchased via iTunes are "backed up" to the cloud

iTunes "Home Sharing" is extended to the Internet (the "private cloud")

iPhone/iPod does intelligent sync and song caching

If you pay for a "premium" Mobile Me (or "iCloud") subscription you get some extra features

Tracks purchased outside of iTunes are also sync'd to the cloud

You get stream/sync access to every song on iTunes

iTunes DJ/Genius works across all songs on iTunes, not just my purchases

I get to select 10 tracks each month to permanently own

iTunes gets a basic web version

Finally, regardless of the location of the song (local, cached, private cloud or public cloud) they should all be presented in the one combined user interface.

Currently you can often rent HD for iPad/Apple TV but only SD for Mac. This is probably because iOS is more locked down and content providers are worried that OS X users will find a way to hack the copy protection. But if the router (running iOS) downloads the Movie and only streams it to the Mac, would that keep the content providers happy?

You may be on to something here...

In a post-pc world, an individual user would have less ability to hack or bypass DRM and rip off content. If true, then the content providers could concentrate on providing better content, more accessible content -- at better prices.

Surely, Content providers would be more amenable to doing this for the curated iTunes - iOS ecosystem -- than for the relatively wide-open, anything goes system provided by Android.

"Swift generally gets you to the right way much quicker." - auxio -

"The perfect [birth]day -- A little playtime, a good poop, and a long nap." - Tomato Greeting Cards -

I like the ATV2 form factor -- especially the size and the built-in power supply.

Though, A Home server would by definition require disks and power supplies.

I think a single 3.5" HDD for a new Time Capsule will be bad, two would be okay, and three disks would be great for a Home Server. I'm not even going to push my luck with four disks or wanting them to be hot swappable.

I have to think that Apple knows the 'PC' isn't the hub it once was and that homes want to be connected by a single repository to a variety of satellite devices. I also have to think Apple is well aware of failed Time Capsule HDDs as we are.

Am I really asking for too much?

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Ability to offload background processing (I'm yet to convince myself "mainstream" users would understand this one) like app downloads and updates and uploads of large chunks of data (like long YouTube videos or photo albums)

Seriously, Apple could offer a "starter" system, say for $99-$150, for a home with a few iPads and iPhones -- no pcs, and would backup all your content locally and to the cloud -- as well as software installs, updates, syncs. etc.

Edit: Oh, Oh OH...if the starter system were hockey puck size (like ATV2) and [backup] battery operated... you could take it your favorite WiFi HotSpot & let it do its thing -- while you did yours!

Then, expandable as necessary for home or business needs -- no reason that you couldn't have more than one of these "little boxes" on your network!

"Swift generally gets you to the right way much quicker." - auxio -

"The perfect [birth]day -- A little playtime, a good poop, and a long nap." - Tomato Greeting Cards -

I wonder if it will be possible to sync an iOS device against iCloud and/or an AirPort with attached hard drive/Time Machine/etc. rather than a Mac or PC?

The iPad is definitely ready to break its bonds and become a stand-alone mobile computer.

Apple's current approach of using iTunes (iTunes?) for app and data management and backup seems to have come about due to historical evolution (i.e. it made sense to use it for putting music on an iPod) rather than particular advantages of usability, power or convenience.

An AEBS or TC stacked on Mac mini with the same design would pretty nice. Didn't the reviews say the wireless signal works great out of the round plastic bottom?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

Seriously, Apple could offer a "starter" system, say for $99-$150, for a home with a few iPads and iPhones -- no pcs, and would backup all your content locally and to the cloud -- as well as software installs, updates, syncs. etc.

Then, expandable as necessary for home or business needs -- no reason that you couldn't have more than one of these "boxes" on your network!

If they go with such a cheap iDevice would they not make the AppleTV more palatable and give it double duty?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tulkas

Maybe they'll finally do an airport admin utility app for iOS.

That's an idea I haven't heard before. I like it. If they do that then it would be clear that iOS-based iDevices are planned to be independent.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Sounds like a possible version of the iHub/iCenter/iHome/iCentral/iMesh I've been rambling on about (ad nauseum - sorry guys ) and adding ideas from others to for the past 9 months.

I really do think that a home server "appliance" is required to make the cloud usable for most people, at least as a stop-gap measure until high-speed unlimited Internet is ubiquitous.

The list I iHub/iHome now...

EDIT: This would also tie in with how I think a cloud music service should work as well. iCloud could potentially be similar to what others have created... but I don't think any company has really created a nice mesh of the private/public cloud.

I wonder if it will be possible to sync an iOS device against iCloud and/or an AirPort with attached hard drive/Time Machine/etc. rather than a Mac or PC?

Absolutely and without any doubt in my mind at all iDevices will sync to the cloud. It's the very definition of "post PC" to have all your stuff floating around in the cloud and any number of satellite devices accessing that data.

I think a better description is "post PC-centric" as PC's will always be around, however instead of a central point to store and sync your data they become just another window into your digital life in the cloud.

There is also the concept of the "public cloud" (e.g. Apple's iCloud servers) and the "private cloud" (e.g. your own server, accessible from the Internet).

I think something like the "iHub" (I won't quote myself again, just read here) would be ideal to facilitate the creation of a private cloud and/or act as a buffer between devices and the public cloud to minimize the effect of the generally crappy Internet speeds most people have.

I don't see the "iHub" as being essential for the "post PC-centric" world, but it would make a world of difference to the user experience.

I think a better description is "post PC-centric" as PC's will always be around, however instead of a central point to store and sync your data they become just another window into your digital life in the cloud.

I like that term and will be using it.

Quote:

There is also the concept of the "public cloud" (e.g. Apple's iCloud servers) and the "private cloud" (e.g. your own server, accessible from the Internet).

Public and private should be useful decribe local and remote access.

Quote:

I think something like the "iHub" (I won't quote myself again, just read here) would be ideal to facilitate the creation of a private cloud and/or act as a buffer between devices and the public cloud to minimize the effect of the generally crappy Internet speeds most people have.

I don't see the "iHub" as being essential for the "post PC-centric" world, but it would make a world of difference to the user experience.

Not a fan of iHub, but also not a fan of iPod, iPad, iCloud and many other Apple names that isn't saying much.

Dick Applebaum on whether the iPad is a personal computer: "BTW, I am posting this from my iPad pc while sitting on the throne... personal enough for you?"

Seriously, Apple could offer a "starter" system, say for $99-$150, for a home with a few iPads and iPhones -- no pcs, and would backup all your content locally and to the cloud -- as well as software installs, updates, syncs. etc.

Absolutely, but I think they could do it for even less. For starters Apple could almost give away one (or more) years subscription to the iCloud service on every purchase of an "iHub".

Say, for example, you could purchase an iCloud subscription for $99 a year, or you could buy an "iHub" for $150 with an included 2 year iCloud subscription.

It's going to cost Apple a lot of money, but the iHub/iCloud combination could be a loss leader that would tie people into the Apple platform.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

Then, expandable as necessary for home or business needs -- no reason that you couldn't have more than one of these "little boxes" on your network!

I think having multiple boxes on the network is probably the best solution for the "mainstream" user.

However if I think like a "mainstream" user then if I run out of storage the simple solution is to buy a brand new device, plug it in, let it tell me when everything is copied over, then unplug the old device and throw it out.

Hopefully in the two or so years it takes to run out of storage the "iHub 2" is released for the same price but with double or quadruple the storage as the "iHub 1".

If Apple tie the iCloud subscription into the iHub purchase as I mentioned above it might simply be a case of the user buying a new "iHub" every two years so they can get the free iCloud subscription.

No, it's a fake 'leaked' image of an alleged iTunes media server that Apple was about to announce.

Stylistically, you can date it to the G3/G4 iBook era because of the two-tone off-white plastics used. It looks VERY much like Apple products of that time and because of the number of pictures released and the build quality, many people thought it could be real.

It wasn't. But we might yet get our iTunes media server in the form of the Time Capsule's successor...

Ah, here we go. I knew there was a gallery. The lack of venting and horrible look of the ports in the back throws it off, but the amount of work undertaken for this fakery is to be commended. You just don't see this kind of attention to detail in the fake rumors anymore... Shame.

I think a single 3.5" HDD for a new Time Capsule will be bad, two would be okay, and three disks would be great for a Home Server.

The standard 'rule' for backups lately seems to be "3 copies" - your own machine, a local backup, a cloud backup.

I'd be happy with a copy on my laptop, a copy on the Time Capsule, and a copy in the cloud. And let my iPhone sync with any of the 3.

Things get a little more complicated if my laptop only syncs a subset of all the stuff I have on my "main" Time Capsule - because I'd only have a single copy in my home. Perhaps 2 Time Capsules could mirror each other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum

What if, within the private confines of the home or the office -- these devices could ignore "regulations" and exchange data, amongst themselves, at much higher bandwidths?

Say, copy a movie from a media server to an iPad in seconds, rather than minutes.

Or backup that large FCP video (and all its attendant files) to the central TimeMachine Home Server (for later backup to the cloud)

Definitely. I think the original article implied backup to the capsule quickly then let it trickle backup itself over time. A very good way to do things.

I'd also be interested in something much more complicated... and that is let my laptop back up to my home time capsule, and then when I go to work if the Time Capsule is still backing up to the cloud let my laptop take some pressure off by sending a direct backup to the cloud - thus halving the work (assuming equivalent bandwidths).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Eran Dilger

A similar makeover for the portable AirPort Express could incorporate an HDMI port to provide similar audio and video streaming features.

Isn't an Airport Express plus HDMI really just an AppleTV?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefly7475

Say, for example, you could purchase an iCloud subscription for $99 a year, or you could buy an "iHub" for $150 with an included 2 year iCloud subscription.

For the iCloud to take off, the combination of not relying on the cloud (since it is also stored locally) and selling an iHub+iCloud combo is a great idea.

It may also be worth selling the iPhone+iCloud subscription together too.